Thereafter, in the long gloaming of May in Scotland, the trio rode back to Methven in the shadowy yet shadowless half-light, wherein outlines had no certainty and distances no measurement, a world of jetty black, dove greys, sepia and the sheen of pewter, tired but happy. It was not often that King James's service proved so much to Heriot's taste.
Shakespeare clearly no longer required his assistance. It had been his original intention to visit Castle Huntly and seek interview with the Master of Gray himself. But in the circumstances, and on Mary Gray's advice, this was unlikely to be productive of advantage, face to face confrontations with Patrick Gray being seldom of satisfaction to other than himself. Better to be content, and let what had been set in train work its own results—with the Lady Marie's aid.
After two more halcyon days, the man took his grudging, heavy-hearted departure from Methven. Alison, at first, had thought to accompany him at least as far as her father's house in Edinburgh; but on consideration, despite the extra day or so it would give them, they decided that it was better to part here, on the scene of their happiness, than in the crowded city, where James Primrose and the thronging family inevitably would come between them, in some measure, and spoil the quality of their farewells. This did not make the parting any easier—but at least it was all their own.
The bridegroom-to-be rode off southwards, and the counting of the months could begin.
18
THE MORNING AFTER his arrival back in London, George Heriot duly repaired to Whitehall Palace to report to his liege lord. He observed his normal wise precaution, however, of first seeking out the Duke of Lennox, in his private quarters of the great rambling establishment, to ascertain the royal availability and mood.
He found Ludovick at a belated breakfast, after a hard night in the King's company, entertaining in typical style the Landgrave of Hesse in the interests of European peace, the sun having been rising down-Thames before they got to bed. For all that, Geordie could not see the monarch yet awhile—not because he was still abed or incommunicado but because of the new daily routine. A bright new star had arisen over the land, and the Court, like all else, must worship—however awkward the hour 1 All was changed, and London upside-down.
‘I have been gone but three weeks," Heriot pointed out. "Do not say that the King has become a new man in the interval?"
"James does not change, no—only changes others. We have a new master, Geordie—as you will learn to your cost A mere boy, at that—a stripling. But a stripling cuckoo in our nest, I think, with strong wings, beak and claws! Young Robert Kerr of Ferniehirst—though he is now calling himself Carr, as the English spell it."
"You mean, the page? The fumbling one, who was dismissed? Ferniehirst's younger son? From Jedburgh?"
"The same. The laddie who came south with us four years ago. Whom Anne got rid of as incompetent—who dropped the wine-cup over her gown, tripped over James's train and could not recite the Latin grace! It seems that James Hay, now my lord Viscount Doncaster, some kin of his, sent him to France thereafter—where he has learned a lot! Learned notably to be less of a fumbler. Now he is back, aged eighteen, and has us all by the ears. Or, it may be, the balls!"
"But... how can this be? Dand Kerr's younger brother... ?"
"You will learn! He is beautiful—oh, a young Adonis! All flowing locks, swan's-down cheeks, a girl's red lips and melting blue eyes—only they melt not the ice behind them! Yet well made, a manly body, long slender limbs—even with one of them broke! Made to our Jamie's measure—and withal, having a most fetching French intonation, grace and manner, with all most modest insolence. Rob Carr aims higher than the Border peel-tower he came out of, I swear!"
"And he has got so far in three weeks ?"
"He has had the Devil's own aid—or Hay has ! Doncaster. As you know, Hay has been a fading favourite for long—ever since leaving Scotland. He grows fat on southron fare! So he needs look to his . . . assets! He was over in France as an ambassador in James's new pacifications, saw his young kinsman—and perceived the gift of the gods! So he brought him back, to put in the King's way. After you left, there was the usual annual folly to celebrate James's Coronation-day, and one of these stupid tourneys and tiltings. Thank God I was excused this once! Hay dressed this young sprig in white armour and the red-and-white colours, set him on a magnificent black Barbary stallion assured to catch the King's eye, and sent him into the lists with the Lord Dingwall. By the most extraordinary chance, the Devil's work as I say, just as they were passing the royal box, a fanfare sounded, and the stallion took fright It reared high, the boy overdid the correction, pulling the brute's head too far round while still it reared, and with the weight of his armour, it overturned. Fell on its back—and the youth beneath. Right under James's royal nose!"
"And the King's heart was touched?"
"Whether his heart or other parts, who knows ! But he halted all, there and then, hurried down to the fallen Carr, had the helmet removed—and fell in love with the beautiful unconscious ! The youth had his leg broke, James, tears in his eyes, had him removed with the utmost care to the Master Rider's house in Charing Cross nearby, sent for all the royal physicians and went there after him, cancelling the tournament, ah solicitude. Now, every morning, he attends the dressing of the leg in person, and kisses the pains away. Hunting has to wait until later—would you believe it ? That is where he is now. Carr is already made an extra Gentleman of the Bedchamber, with six hundred pounds Sterling a year! James will speak of little else than the excellences, of mind and spirit and body, of this youthful paragon—who, it seems, has an intellect, but awaiting the King's awakening, to flourish and astound us all! We must needs all go worship at the shrine, daily. No doubt your turn will come." "A nine-days-wonder, let us hope."
"Would that it were. But I think not. Others think not, to be sure. They say the youth is clever. Or, at the least, cunning. I reckon Hay will gain but little out of his investment—for others are taking Carr over. Folk with keener wits than Hay. There is a battle for him, already, between the factions. The Howards, in especial, are amove. See you, the Countess of Suffolk herself goes early each morning to this house, before James arrives, to curl Carr's hair, perfume his breath, paint his lips and anoint his body! Old enough to be his mother, no doubt she obtains her reward—but the entire Howard clan are abetting her. They usually know well what they do. Even Cecil pays court. It sickens roe. As it does Anne."
"The Queen mislikes it? Seriously? More than her husband's other... weaknesses ?"
"Aye. She is angry. Bitter. For this Carr has already said ill things of her. He so soon conceives himself secure enough to do so. She it was who had him dismissed for incompetence, mind— and he has not forgot, it seems. And he has already snubbed young Henry, whom James insisted must go visit him, bearing gifts. As you know, Anne is a tigress where her bairns are concerned ! She is in a great state."
Thoughtfully Heriot scratched his chin. "James has ever had a great need, and capacity, for affection," he said. "The pity that he must needs turn for it, thus..."
When, presently, a commotion heralded the King's return from Charing Cross and his mission of mercy, the Duke took his friend to see if he could gain audience. James proved to be in a glowing and expansive humour, at one with his world. He allowed Heriot into his presence at once, greeted him warmly, declared that Geordie and Vicky must accompany him there and then, for he had a ploy on, a justifying of justifiers, which might well hold some good sport—and they must not keep Philip waiting, must they ? Mystified, the pair fell in behind their happy sovereign lord who, preceded by a posse of Yeomen of the Guard and followed by sundry dignitories, hobbled off forthwith along the lengthy corridors of Whitehall, tall white stick waving and clacking.
"I'm new come frae Robbie's bedside, Geordie man," Majesty announced, over a padded shoulder. "Robbie Carr. You'll mind Robbie? Him my Annie put aside, yon time—the mair fool her! Och, he's a guid lad is Robbie. And I owe him something, mind you, for Annie's u
nkind extrusion—aye, her fustigation. A right martyrdom, no less! But he's doing fine, now—och, just fine."
When Heriot made no comment, James turned and looked at him, the stick coming up to jab.
"You said, Geordie... ?"
"Nothing, Sire. I, ah, had scarce time to express my, my felicitations."
"Aye. Well." The march was resumed. "I've great hopes for Robbie, see you. He's got wits in his bonnie heid—oh, aye, notable wits. And wi' me for his tutor, he'll go far, far."
Behind the royal back, Heriot and Lennox exchanged glances.
They came to a large chamber overlooking the river, where were assembled quite a group of people of both sexes, and varied types and classes. Standing apart from the others, and looking distinctly chilly and offended, was Philip Herbert, Earl of Montgomery, dressed in the exaggerated height of fashion. He had been drifting from favour ever since his marriage—James had come to the conclusion that he did not like the wife—and now the new favourite's meteoric rise would be the last straw. He sketched the briefest of bows at the royal entry, while all others genuflected deeply.
The King did not appear to notice, all genial attention on Montgomery. "Ha, Philip lad!" he cried, "It's yoursel'? A right bonnie morning, is it no' ? Fine for the work in hand, eh? If we're a wee thing late, I couldna help it. Man, you're looking fine and swack. Getting fat, on my soul!"
"Your Majesty is pleased to jest!" the other returned, sulkily.
"Na, na—nae jesting in it, Philip. It's work, the day. And I've got a right suitable and worthy ploy for you, lad—and a' in the interests o' justice and good governance. You'll thank me, I swear" James made his way to the head of a central table, and sat down, laying his stick along the board, and beckoning to a clerk for papers. "Aye, well." He cleared his throat, and tipped his hat forward over his brow to signify that utterance was now official. "We are here assembled and forgathered, my lords and friends, on a matter o' much concern to this realm, lords o' justiciary, magistrates, appellants and witnesses—or, shall we say, deponents and evidenters. Aye. The subject is witchcraft Or, leastways, the matter o' misclaims and misjudgments thereanent. A right serious matter that has been brought to our royal notice. See you, it's this way—there has been a notable onset and increase o' claims for the punishment o' witches, and the compensation o' the victims thereof, such as I did stipulate when I ascended this throne o' England. Notable." He smirked complacently. "No' unconnected wi' the publication o' my ain work on Demonology, I'm thinking ! Aye. But no' a' folk are so enquirous and single-minded in the matter as their liege lord, mind. There's ill-conditioned folk who jalouse they can profit frae my kind care for my subjects by making false claims. Accusing their unfriends o' witchcraft, and claiming in law upon their goods and properties, in compensation. A maist deplorable defraud. My justices are no' ay o' the ability and penetration to discern the truth in such misclaims. They havena a' studied the matter as hae I. Is that no' the case, my lord Chancellor?"
Ellesmere, who with Coke, the Attorney-General, was standing by, bowed warily.
"Aye, then. I have, therefore, summoned to my presence two contested cases, for my ain judgement this day. As demonstration and test. Experimentum cruris. Two right different cases." James consulted the paper. "Item—the case o' Samuel Colt, yeoman, and his wife Deborah Vance, o' Ware in the county o' Hertford, against one Suzanna Gaffney, spinster, goose-wife, likewise o' Ware, their neighbour. Alleged that the said Suzanna, being reputed a witch, did bewitch the said Deborah, out of ill-will and spleen, by crossing fingers and eyes at her, caused close her secret parts, to the end that she, although a mother of two children, may no longer enjoy proper wifely communion wi' the said Samuel her husband, nor can bear further children on the said account And so they petition for the due punishment o' the said Suzanna, as notour witch, and the arrestment o' her property for payment o' the sum o' thirty pounds Sterling, in solatium for the said grievous deprivation in bodily comforts and marital bed."
Something between a snigger and a snort came from the Earl of Montgomery and sundry others smiled. James cocked an eyebrow.
"Aye, Philip—I reckoned you'd be interested! But it's no matter for mirth, mind. Samuel Colt and Deborah Vance to stand forward."
From the group at the foot of the table, a long-featured, stooping man of early middle years shuffled out, bobbing continuously and turning his hat round and round in his hands, the picture of discomfort And with him a red-cheeked, buxon woman, considerably younger, who, though flushed, kept her head high.
The King eyed them thoughtfully, especially the woman. "Ooh, aye," he said.
There was a lengthy pause, wherein the yeoman Colt became increasingly unhappy, and his wife, although she endeavoured to maintain her pose, bit her lips, plucked at her gown, her ample bosom beginning to heave.
"I've no' ca'd the alleged witch, Gaffney, to be present," James went on presently, "until I acquaint mysel' wi' the details and rightness o' the change. As I have it, Samuel Colt, it's no' you that's bewitched, but your wife? You can still do it, can you?"
Stammering and nodding, the man indicated that he was still a capable husband.
"Aye, then—if s you that canna, Mistress Deborah? You canna what?"
"I... may it please your High and Mightiness... I cannot... cannot . . ." Gulping, and red as a beetroot, the lady spread shaking hands.
"Be mair specific, woman," her monarch commanded.
"I cannot... take him. Take him in. Sam'l. Not as 'ow I used to, as you might say, sir. My lord. Mightiness."
"Is that so? You canna tak him in. And you, sirrah—you canna get in? ?"
"Y'yes, sir. N'no, sir. I... I... no, Highness.
"Mak up your mind, man. We maun get to the bottom o' this !" James glanced over at Heriot and Lennox, to see if they had caught the allusion.
"Your case is that you're no' gravelled, nor yet impotent, but that since Suzanna bewitched your wife you canna get in? She canna tak you, she says. Canna—or winna ?"
"Cannot, lord. She goes... stiff. Closed up."
"Stiff man? That's fell interesting. The boot on the wrang foot, heh? And you, Mistress—how do we ken you've no' just taken a scunner at your husband ? He's getting auld, I see. It's happened before now. Maybe that's the cause o' your stiffness and closeness downby? Maybe you've your eye on another lad—wi' mair smeddum to him ?"
"Oh, no, sir—no! King, sir. Not so. As God's my witness... !"
"Aye, well. You claim that you're bewitched, woman, so that you canna tak a man in? And you claim thirty pounds Sterling in compensation. See you, that's an unverified statement, just I'll need verification before I can pronounce a right judgment. Aye, verification. I therefore command, Mistress Deborah, that you go ben the next room, while test is made o' your assertion. Wi' a man other than this Samuel Colt. To wit, Philip, Earl o' Montgomery, who, besides being a peer o' this realm is a right notable lover and performer on women 1 If he canna get in, then I'd likely accept your claim. You have it, Philip, lad? Nae raping and roaring, mind—just a decent bit haughmagandie. To your, h'm, mutual comfort! I'll gie you a half-hour. The bit room's a' ready, wi' a bed and a flagon o' wine. You'll no need mair than that, I'm thinking—a man o' your prowess?"
There was a chorus of exclamation, wails and protest from the husband, little controlled squeals from the wife, chuckles from Philip Herbert, and varied reactions from judges, magistrates and lookers-on.
James held up his hand for quiet. "Silence in my royal presence!" he reproved. "This is a court o' law. I'd remind you a'. The highest in the land, forby. Guard—tak them ben. A half-hour—nae mair, mind. Now—next case?"
Consulting his papers, as the Earl gallantly took the lady's arm and escorted her somewhat reluctant person to the door, behind two Yeomen of the Guard, all assured if somewhat lofty and patronising charm, the King went on:
"Item—the case o' the young woman, Kate Selby, o' Brentwood in the county o' Essex, against one Nell Carter or Hives, alleged witc
h. A right interesting case, this, wi' mair o' meat to it The lassie Kate, or her faither Matthew Selby, saddler, avers that she is bewitched by the said Nell Carter or Hives, in that whenever the first verse o' the first chapter o' St John's Gospel is read in her presence she is cast into a fit. Whereby she is held askance by the hale community o' this Brentwood in general and her betrothed husband Peter Lukes in particular. The said Peter Lukes being minded, on this account, to withdraw frae marriage, the said Matthew Selby claims the sum o' nineteen pounds Sterling in solatium for himsel' and five pounds Sterling for his daughter Kate, making twenty-four pounds Sterling against the person and property o' the said alleged witch, Nell Carter or Hives. Aye, an interesting case, you'll a' agree?"
There was only a comparatively modest murmur of concurrence, most of the company's thoughts being rather obviously elsewhere—next door to be exact
"Aye. Some questions arise," the monarch went on. "Kate Selby and Matthew Selby to stand forward. Aye. I have stated your claim correctly? Now—these fits the lassie taks? What form do they take, man Matthew?"
The Wisest Fool Page 42
